5 Essential Medical Tests for Men Over 40 in Dubai

When it comes to aging, popular notion indicates that men find it more difficult to accept the realities of “getting old”.

It is only natural for our bodies to degrade over time but more importantly, to understand and prevent medical issues as we age. Our day to day routines of driving to work, hitting the gym, playing active sports, eating in or out (healthy or junk) and participating in occasional vices such as smoking or having a few beers will inevitably wear down our bodies. Therefore, it is important for men, in general, to proactively approach their bodies and health with an objective perspective, to prevent smaller health issues growing into more serious and terminal problems.

With this in mind, here are the top 5 most essential health tests for men once they hit their 40’s in Dubai:

#1. Blood pressure test

A blood pressure test measures how much pressure is being applied to your arteries as your heart is pumping. You can simply buy a blood pressure monitor and use it at home to measure your blood pressure, however it is always best to visit a general physician to test your blood pressure at least once or twice a year. Before you take a reading, make sure you stay away from caffeine for at least 30 minutes before the test, stay relaxed, support your arm and keep your elbow at or near heart level and don’t talk or fidget. If you are taking readings at home, make sure to perform at least 2 readings to average out any discrepancies. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medicine for your condition and recommend any adjustments to your eating, drinking and overall lifestyle habits. In Dubai, you can check your blood pressure for free at any community health centers or clinics as part of any routine checkup or test.

#2. Cholesterol Test or Lipid Profile

A cholesterol test or lipid profile is a blood test that measures 4 types of fats (lipids) in your blood: 

• Total cholesterol which is simply the sum of your blood’s cholesterol. 
• High density lipoprotein, or (HDL) cholesterol is regarded as “good cholesterol” and is responsible for removing plaque buildup and essential in preventing heart disease and strokes.
• Low density lipoprotein, or (LDL) cholesterol is considered “bad cholesterol” and is mainly responsible for the build-up of plaque in your arteries and the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
• Triglycerides are the most common form of fat found in the body and comes mainly from vegetable oils and animal fats.

In short, if you find yourself with a cholesterol level or lipid profile above your doctor’s recommendation, then you have high blood cholesterol levels and this potentially elevates your risk for heart diseases. Your physician will also recommend specific adjustments to your diet and lifestyle and possibly prescribe medications according to the severity of your condition.

Click here to get tested for Cholesterol/Lipid Profile for AED 160.

#3. Basic Diabetic Screening

It is a common belief that only overweight or obese people are more likely to have high blood sugar, thus prone to developing diabetes. The reality is, regardless of weight and height, men are more likely to develop diabetes due to eating habits, family genes, and lifestyle. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and 2 and both are categorized by our body’s inability to produce and absorb insulin respectively. For a complete understanding of your blood sugar levels, here is a breakdown of the blood sugar test: 

• Fasting blood sugar (FBS) test is conducted after fasting from food and drink for eight hours.
• Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) tests for both types of diabetes and measures the amount of sugar/glucose in your bloodstream for the past 2 to 3 months. 
• Insulin test is used to measure the amount of insulin in your body. It is responsible for moving glucose (our body’s main source of energy), from the bloodstream and into your cells.
• Microalbumin Urine test is for detecting small levels of a blood protein (albumin) in your urine. This test is used to determine early signs of any kidney damage for people at risk of developing kidney diseases. 

Similar to cholesterol levels, if your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, then you run the risk of developing diabetes, which in turn could lead to heart disease, stroke, neuropathic damage, and other blood-related problems. Consult with a physician regarding your test results to receive the best medical and non-medical solutions for controlling your blood sugar levels. 

Click here to get tested for Blood Sugar for AED 350.

#4. Kidney or Renal Profile

The role of our kidneys is to filter all the toxic substances out of our body. Kidneys filter blood every day and maintain the overall fluid content in our body. Therefore, it is important for people with active lifestyles to ensure their kidneys are functioning at optimum levels. A kidney or renal profile will determine the health of your kidneys in the following ways:

• Creatinine test is a blood test used to count the presence of creatinine (a waste product from muscle tissue) in your kidney and how efficiently it is being disposed.
• Calcium test is a blood test used to measure the amount of calcium in the bloodstream. Calcium is an important mineral for our bones, teeth, heart and many other critical organs.
• Uric Acid test is a blood test used to quantify how much uric acid is in your bloodstream. Uric acid is derived from the breakdown of purines in the kidneys and are found in some sea-foods, meats, alcoholic beverages and some vegetables. Failure to control uric acid in the body can lead to gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis.
• Urea test is a test used to determine the amount of waste created in the liver. After nutrient absorption, this remaining waste is carried through the blood and into the kidneys and finally out of the body as urine.
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a blood test used to compute how much nitrogen is present in the blood and how efficiently your kidneys are removing it from your blood.

If you start experiencing middle to upper deep back pains and towards the side of your back, then it might be a good time to consult with a physician to screen for any abnormalities in your kidneys.

Click here to get tested for Kidney/Renal Profile for AED 250.

#5. Arthritis Profile

Arthritis profile is a health condition that causes stiffness in the joints, pain, inflammation, degradation of joints and gradual loss of mobility. It can affect a single or multiple joints from the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, shoulders, knees and feet. To characterize an arthritis profile, multiple blood tests will be performed. Osteoarthritis is caused by everyday wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints. Here are the following tests needed for an Arthritis Profile:   

• Hemogram (20 tests) is a complete blood count (CBC) used to evaluate your overall health and to detect for abnormalities in the blood that could cause a variety of diseases and health issues.  
• C-reactive protein (CRP) – this test also indicates inflammation and tests for the activity of the disease. It may be used to help diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis and to evaluate and monitor the condition. An increased level of CRP occurs in Rheumatoid Arthritis but not in osteoarthritis.
• Rheumatoid factor (RF) test - used to help diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); it is present in significant concentrations in most people (about 80%) with RA but can also be present in people with other diseases and in a small percentage of healthy people; when positive in someone with symptoms of RA, this test can be useful to confirm the diagnosis.
• Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) this test is used to screen for certain autoimmune disorders, sometimes including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but is most often used as one of the tests to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• Anti-Streptolysin O (ASO) is a blood test used to measure antibodies against streptolysin O, a substance produced by group A streptococcus bacteria. Antibodies are proteins our bodies produce when they detect harmful substances, such as bacteria.
• Uric Acid test is a blood test used to measure how much uric acid is in your blood stream. Uric acid is derived from the breakdown of purines in the kidneys and are found in some seafoods, meats, alcoholic beverages and some vegetables. Failure to control uric acid in the body can lead to gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis.

According to specialists there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But clinical studies indicate that symptoms can be controlled and improved when treatment begins early using physician prescribed medications such as steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and other doctor-approved medications. For more serious conditions, doctors may consider surgery to repair damaged or degraded joints to improve function and relief for the patient.

 Click here to get tested for Arthritis Profile for AED 400.

Disclaimer: This article/report is not a substitute for standard medical consultations with your physician regarding overall healthcare check ups. If you have questions or concerns regarding lab test results and overall health, then you should schedule an appointment and consultation with a licensed physician.

Sources:

• Understanding Blood Pressure Readings, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings

• What should my cholesterol level be at my age? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315900.php

• Cholesterol testing and results: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000386.htm

• How to Lower Your Triglycerides: https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/lowering-triglyceride-levels#1

• Mayo Clinic: Diabetes https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451

• Mayo Clinic: A1C Overview: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/a1c-test/about/pac-20384643

• Mayo Clinic: Microalbumin Urine: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/microalbumin/about/pac-20384640

• NCBI: Chapter 193 BUN and Creatinine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305/

• NCBI: Chapter 143 Serum Calcium: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK250/

• NCBI: Is it time to revise the normal range of serum uric acid levels? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24867507

• Healthline, Urea Area Nitrogen Test: https://www.healthline.com/health/urea-nitrogen-urine#test-results

• University of Rochester: Alpha-Fetoprotein Tumor Marker (Blood): https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=alpha_fetoprotein_tumor_marker

• Columbia University Irving Medical Center: The Pancreas Center: https://columbiasurgery.org/pancreas/diagnosis

• Mayo Clinic Laboratories: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Total and Free, Serum: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81944

• National Cancer Institute: Tumor Markers: https://training.seer.cancer.gov/testicular/abstract-code-stage/extent/markers.html

• Hyperuricemia (High Uric Acid): http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/hyperuricemia-high-uric-acid.aspx

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/c-reactive-protein-crp-test/

• Rheumatoid factor: What to know: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325505.php

• Antinuclear Antibody (ANA): https://labtestsonline.org/tests/antinuclear-antibody-ana

• Antistreptolysin O: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003522.htm

• Uric Acid: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/uric-acid